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Colin James Barnett (born 15 July 1950) is an Australian politician who is the 29th and current Premier of Western Australia in his role as leader of the Western Australian Division of the Liberal Party of Australia. He had previously served as the state's Leader of the Opposition and Treasurer, as well as holding various other portfolios in Western Australia's Cabinet.
Early life
Barnett was born in Nedlands, a suburb of Perth, the capital of Western Australia, and graduated from the University of Western Australia with an economics degree. Having lectured in economics at the Western Australian Institute of Technology and served as an executive director of the Western Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, he was elected to the Western Australian Legislative Assembly for ...

WESTERN Australia's devastating bushfires have claimed part of the political scalp of Emergency Services Minister Rob Johnson, who will be replaced in the key portfolio by former Liberal leader Troy Buswell. Premier Colin Barnett insisted the move had nothing to do with criticism of Mr Johnson's performance, saying a fresh start was needed with a "proven" minister such as Mr Buswell.
The minor reshuffle came as Mr Barnett announced that former federal police commissioner Mick Keelty would head an inquiry into the causes of the recent Margaret River bushfire, which destroyed 32 houses and ...

Disenchantment with Labor in Western Australia has reached a 14-year high.
Just 30 per cent of voters want the party back in power - a result that could sound the death knell for Opposition Leader Eric Ripper.
The latest Newspoll, conducted exclusively for The Australian from July to this month, shows Liberal Premier Colin Barnett is virtually cemented into power, while Labor is now as unpopular as it was in 1996 when Geoff Gallop took over from Jim McGinty, who stood aside after admitting he could not connect with voters.
Primary support for the Liberals and Nationals - who have an ...

As debate begins on a bill that would legalise euthanasia in Western Australia, Premier Colin Barnett says society does not want government-sanctioned killing.
Debate on the Voluntary Euthanasia Bill in the state's upper house began on Tuesday afternoon after both Mr Barnett and Opposition Leader Eric Ripper allowed a conscience vote on the issue.
If passed by parliament, WA would be the first state in Australia to legalise euthanasia.
The private members bill, introduced by Greens MP Robin Chapple, would allow any terminally-ill West Australian over the age of 21 and of "sound mind" ...

Barnett's remote community child protection comments 'despicable' - ABC OnlineABC OnlineBarnett's remote community child protection comments 'despicable'ABC OnlineThe West Australian Opposition has labelled the Premier "desperate and despicable" after he said a review of the future of remote Aboriginal communities had been largely motivated by child safety concerns. Colin Barnett last year announced up to 150 ...Healthway board members 'yet to resign'Perth NowWA premier flags communities review but fails to meet Indigenous leadersThe GuardianLeaders slam Barnett's claimsThe Australianall 10 news articles »

Sam Barnett: Out of Dad's shadow - Perth NowPerth NowSam Barnett: Out of Dad's shadowPerth NowHe's the globe-trotting son of WA Premier Colin Barnett and he reckons he's on the verge of finalising a $14 million property deal in his five-star hotel room in Singapore. Sam Barnett jet-sets between Perth, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur every month ...

Colin Barnett asset-sale plan hit by falling ore price - The AustralianColin Barnett asset-sale plan hit by falling ore priceThe AustralianHe also cast doubt on Premier Colin Barnett's claim last year that asset sales would raise $2bn a year until the 2017 election, totalling $6bn. “It's going to be hard — these things are slow,” he said. “We have to ratchet up the magnitude of (sales ...and more »

Australia's remote indigenous communities fear closure - BBC NewsBBC NewsAustralia's remote indigenous communities fear closureBBC NewsDerby Aboriginal elder Lorna Hudson was a child when government authorities in the 1960s moved her people from tiny Sunday Island off the remote north-west coast of Western Australia to the mainland. For a time most of the Sunday Island "saltwater" ...Funding 'lifestyles' of the less rich and famousThe AgeAustralia's Abbott Seeks to Douse Furor Over Outback CommentsWall Street JournalComment: Abbott's 'lifestyle choice' gaffe shows ignorance but let's be more ...SBSThe Australian -Brisbane Timesall 377 news articles »